JUDY FROM THE BLOCK

Sunday, January 29, 2012

I have hacked my mom's blog! It's me, Destini! I will be "guest-hosting" and writing mom's blog this year, you know what I see through my eyes, hear with my ears, taste with palate, and whatever else I can think of. I'll dictate, mom will transcribe....What? I'm only 2!

First, I am going to learn to ride this new bike I got for Christmas. I especially 'LOVE' the bell and those little hangy thingies on the handle bars. Mom and Dad were smart to get me the helmet; I always have to protect my head. Unfortunately, I have epilepsy and I gotta always protect my noggin!

It's been a slow month around here, getting back to our routine since the holidays. Mom and Dad have been working hard, plus with me...well I'm no bey-bey's kid, but I know how to get their attention when I want to.

Mom made these awesome roasted potatoes this month, that, SERIOUSLY, I could have ate them all; but, it's polite to share! I am getting lessons this month in "sharing." So far, I don't like it!

Back to the potatoes....

See I told ya, they look good huh? All mom did was cut little red potatoes in halves, sprinkled sea salt and pepper, poured that good olive oil on top, tossed em around and threw em in a 400 degree oven for about 25 minutes (depends on how big your taters are). After they were done, she cut up some "fresh" dill and sprinkled all over them, toss, toss, toss. See how easy?

Speaking of "fresh" herbs. My mom absolutely does NOT have a green thumb. She couldn't even grow a weed, and aren't those pretty hard to kill? Yeah, she would kill one. So anywho, we recently discovered that our "Smart N Final" store will actually (the produce manager) order any fresh herbs you want, $2.99! Mom said, "that's a steal!" I don't think she meant she stole it, I think she meant it was good bargain. She ordered some "fresh" basal last week, and just take a look at these babies....We ate Italian for a week and a half! Suffice to say, I'm cool on the pasta for a couple of weeks. Mom? Overkill!

Mom's letting her hair grow out, and I gotta tell ya, she looks ridiculous!! I will be so happy when she grows that mess out and gets it re-done! Love you mommy....

Did I mention that I pulled my dresser on top of myself and was buried underneath it screaming and crying? It wasn't that I was going to hide it from you, it's just that I scared my mom so bad that I just thought I wouldn't bring it up again. I didn't break any bones! They get so paranoid about everything. But for safe sake, they took all my toys outta my room that I could climb on. I guess later in life I will learn it was for LOVE, not for punishment. See? I'm fine!

Oh you noticed my hat? Thanks for asking. One of my mom's really great friends had recently been battling breast cancer READ ALL ABOUT IT HERE . Mom said she had a hard road to travel, a double mastectomy and chemotherapy. We followed along with her every day on Facebook. I felt so sad because I saw my mom cry for her friend. Then, the BEST NEWS EVER came this month! She is now CANCER FREE!

So, like I said...It's been a busy month and it's just flown right by. I'm ready for my next blog. No, I am not going to tell you in advance if that is what you are waiting for! See ya soon!

Monday, January 23, 2012

As I’ve aged, I’ve become kinder to myself and less critical of myself. I’ve become my own friend. I have seen too many dear friends leave this world, too soon; before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging.

Whose business is it if I choose to read, or play on the computer until 2am, or sleep until noon? I will continue to dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 70′s, 80's and 90s; and, if I, at the same time wish to weep over a lost love, I WILL.I will walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body and will dive into the waves if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from the jet set. Hey, one day they too will get old!I know I am sometimes forgetful; but there again, some of life is just as well forgotten. And, I eventually remember the important things.Sure, over the years, my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or even when somebody’s beloved pet gets hit by a car? But, broken hearts are what give us strength and understanding and compassion. A heart never broken is pristine and sterile, and will never know the joy of being imperfect.

I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turning grey, you know just around the temples wink-wink, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face. So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn gray.

As I get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what other people think. I don’t question myself anymore. I’ve even earned the right to be wrong. So, to answer my own question, I like being old. It has set me free. I like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been or worrying about what will be.